EP0363806A1 - Connecteur électrique - Google Patents
Connecteur électrique Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0363806A1 EP0363806A1 EP89118427A EP89118427A EP0363806A1 EP 0363806 A1 EP0363806 A1 EP 0363806A1 EP 89118427 A EP89118427 A EP 89118427A EP 89118427 A EP89118427 A EP 89118427A EP 0363806 A1 EP0363806 A1 EP 0363806A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- connector
- movable portion
- side wall
- electrical connector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 abstract description 21
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/50—Fixed connections
- H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
- H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
- H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
- H01R12/675—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat cables
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
- H01R43/01—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for connecting unstripped conductors to contact members having insulation cutting edges
Definitions
- the invention is directed to an electrical connector for use with ribbon cable or the like.
- the electrical connector has a wall which extends across the end of an opening into which the ribbon cable is inserted, thereby protecting the individual conductors from unwanted contact. A portion of the wall is movable to allow for the termination of the connector to the cable.
- the connector In the applicator tooling, the connector is maintained in precise alignment.
- the ribbon cable is then inserted over the terminals of the connector through an opening or slot provided in the connector.
- the insertion of the ribbon cable continues until an end of the cable engages a switch in the applicator tooling, which causes the terminals to move toward the cable, thereby terminating the connector to the cable.
- the proper positioning of the switch insures that the cable and the connector are accurately aligned with respect to each other as termination occurs.
- covers are attached to the connectors after the termination of the connector to the cable has occurred. These covers extend over the exposed ends of the conductors, to prevent the conductors from being contacted during the handling and installation of the connectors.
- these covers increase the reliability of the connector assembly, the cost of the connectors is increased due to the additional part required. It is important to note, that the covers can not be installed prior to insertion of the cable, because the covers would prevent the end of the cable from engaging the switch of the applicator tooling which triggers the termination.
- the invention is directed to an electrical connector which is used to terminate a ribbon cable or the like.
- the electrical connector has a mating surface and a termination surface.
- the termination surface has terminals which extend therefrom, such that as the electrical connector is terminated to the ribbon cable, the terminals engage conductors of the ribbon cable to place the conductors and the terminals in electrical engagement. End walls and sidewalls of the connector extend from the mating surface to the termination surface.
- the electrical connector is characterized in that a first side wall of the electrical connector extends beyond the termination surface, away from the mating surface, to provided a stop surface.
- the stop surface cooperates with an end of the ribbon cable as the ribbon cable is moved over the electrical connector. The engagement of the end of the cable with the stop surface insures that the ribbon cable is provided in accurate alignment with the electrical connector.
- a movable portion is provided on the portion of the first side wall which extends beyond the termination surface.
- the movable portion is movable with respect to the stop surface.
- a projection is provided on the movable portion, and extends from the first side wall toward a second side wall. The projection cooperates with the ribbon cable as the ribbon cable is advanced toward the first end wall, such that as an end of the cable is positioned against the stop surface, the movable portion is caused to move away from the second side wall.
- a flat conductor cable 2 comprises a plurality of parallel side-by-side conductors 4 embedded in plastic material 6. Conductors 4 are coplanar and define a conductor plane. Cable 2 has parallel side edges 8, an upper major surface 10, and a lower major surface 12.
- Upper and lower surfaces 10, 12 have, in transverse cross section, a series of cylindrical convex projections 14, each projection having a conductor 4 centrally located with respect thereto. Projections 14 on the two surfaces 10, 12 are opposed to, and in alignment with each other.
- the type of cable shown has a continuous thick mass insulating material between adjacent conductors rather that a thin membrane as with some known type of flat cable.
- Figure 1 shows a multi-contact connector 18 of a type which is installed on cable 2 to establish electrical contact with conductors 4 in cable 2.
- Connector 18 comprises a generally prismatic housing 20 and a cover 22.
- Housing 20 has a cable receiving face 24 which is directed downward in Figure 1.
- Extending from face 24 are terminals 26 which are of the insulation displacement type.
- Openings 25 are provided proximate end walls 27 of connector 18, the openings extend from cable receiving face 24.
- Terminals 26 are usually arranged in two or more parallel rows which extend between end walls 27 of connector 18. The spacing of terminals 26 is such that terminals 26 of one row are staggered with respect to terminals 26 in the other row. Terminals 26 have insulation piercing free ends 30 which are spaced from cable receiving face 24 and wire-receiving slots 28 which extend inwardly from free ends 30. Electrical contact is established between connector 18 and cable 2 by forcing a conductor 4 of cable 2 into a slot 28 of terminal 26 of connector 18, such that the opposed surfaces of each slot 28 contact a respective conductor 4.
- Cover 22 has a surface 36 which is opposed to cable receiving surface 24 of housing 20.
- Surface 36 has side-by-side concave depressions 38 positioned therein. These concave depressions 38 have substantially the same radius of curvature as do convex cylindrical projections 14 of cable 2. Openings 40 extend through cover 22 so that free ends 30 of terminals 26 can be passed through these openings when connector 18 is installed on cable 2.
- Latch arms 42 extend from surface 36 of cover 22, in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of surface 36.
- Resilient projections 44 are provided on latch arms at a position which is spaced from surface 36. The latch arms and resilient projections cooperate with opening 25 of housing 20 to insure that the latch arms and resilient projections maintain cover 22 in position relative to housing 20.
- a stop wall 46 is provided on cover 22, so that as the cable 2 is inserted onto the cover, the stop wall provides a positive stop means for the cable. This insures that the cable will be properly positioned relative to the cover of the connector. Stop wall 46 is provided in essentially the same plane as a first side wall 48 of the connector ( Figure 1), and extends between end walls 50 of cover 22.
- stop wall 46 has a weakened or movable resilient central portion 52.
- the resilient central portion 52 is integrally attached with stop wall 46 at the opposed ends 54 thereof.
- the side surfaces of portion 52 remain free to move with respect to side wall 46.
- This resilient nature of resilient central portion 52 is attributable to the material used in construction. It is important to note that the force required to deflect portion 52 is not great. As slot 58 is provided, only the ends 54 are attached to stop wall 46. Consequently, only minimal force is required to deflect portion 52.
- a projection 60 is provided on the resilient central portion 52.
- the projection is provided to engage the cable as the cable is inserted into cover 22, thereby insuring that the resilient central portion will be displaced as the cable in inserted, causing a switch to be activated, as will be more fully discussed below.
- cover 22 and housing 20 are positioned in applicator tooling.
- Cover 22 is generally positioned below housing 20 in order for the cable to be easily inserted into the tooling.
- the positioning of cover 22 and housing 20 are accurately controlled so that as the applicator tooling terminates connector 18 onto cable 2, the connector cover 22 and housing 20 are precisely aligned.
- covers 22 and housing 20 are preassembled before being positioned in the applicator tooling. In this preassembled or pretermination position, surfaces 24, 36 of housing 20 and cover 22, respectively, are spaced apart.
- cover 22 and housing 20 With cover 22 and housing 20 accurately positioned and maintained in the tooling in a pretermination position, cable 2 is brought to an initial or preinsertion position, as shown in Figure 2. In this position, conductors 4 of cable 2 are provided in alignment with depressions 38 of surface 36 of cover 22. As was previously stated, cover 22 and housing 20 are spaced from each other prior to termination. Consequently, an opening is provided between the cover and the housing, between which the cable can be inserted.
- Cable 2 is inserted into the opening which is provided between cover 22 and housing 20.
- the alignment of the cable relative to the cover is maintained by latch arms 42.
- Latch arms 42 are spaced apart a distance which is slightly greater than the width of the cable. Consequently, as the cable is inserted between the latch arms, the spacing insures that the cable will be maintained in alignment with the cover.
- the cable is maintained proximate surface 36 of cover 22. In fact it is likely that during the insertion of the cable, the cable will slide across surface 36 of cover 22. This provides another alignment means as the cable is inserted.
- the concave depressions 38 cooperate with the convex projections 14 of the cable to insure that the cable is accurately maintained in position as the cable is inserted.
- portion 52 provides the means to activate the applicator tooling.
- a proximity switch is activated, causing the applicator tooling to terminate the housing 20 and cover 22 onto the cable 2. It is important to note that the termination will not occur until the cable is properly positioned, because the cable must be provided in engagement with the stop wall in order for the central portion to be bent enough to engage the switch. Consequently, the proper alignment of the cable to the cover and housing is insured.
- the connector of the present invention is a practical solution to the problem.
- the present invention has the advantage of covering the end of the cable, thereby preventing the cable from making electrical contact with any other outside source. Consequently, the connector of the present invention is more reliable than connectors of the prior art. Another advantage of the connector relates to the ease of adapting the applicator tooling.
Landscapes
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB888823946A GB8823946D0 (en) | 1988-10-12 | 1988-10-12 | Electrical connector |
GB8823946 | 1988-10-12 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0363806A1 true EP0363806A1 (fr) | 1990-04-18 |
EP0363806B1 EP0363806B1 (fr) | 1994-12-28 |
Family
ID=10645095
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP89118427A Expired - Lifetime EP0363806B1 (fr) | 1988-10-12 | 1989-10-04 | Connecteur électrique |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4932895A (fr) |
EP (1) | EP0363806B1 (fr) |
DE (1) | DE68920253T2 (fr) |
GB (1) | GB8823946D0 (fr) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4225544C1 (de) * | 1992-08-01 | 1993-10-21 | Hirschmann Richard Gmbh Co | Kabelsteckverbinder für Flachbandkabel |
EP0653820B1 (fr) * | 1993-11-12 | 2000-01-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Câble adaptateur réversible pour deux media |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4995827A (en) * | 1990-07-16 | 1991-02-26 | Itt Corporation | Strain relief IDC connector |
US5944554A (en) * | 1998-03-20 | 1999-08-31 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector for flat flexible circuits |
US20050244221A1 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-03 | Seaman Regis J | Expandable frictional end disc |
US9647349B1 (en) * | 2016-06-02 | 2017-05-09 | Elemental LED, Inc. | Through-insulation strip light connector |
US10186789B1 (en) | 2018-04-13 | 2019-01-22 | Rustcraft Industries LLC | Keyed cable and connector system |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3434093A (en) * | 1966-09-27 | 1969-03-18 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Solderless connector for multipleconductor flat cable |
EP0087209A2 (fr) * | 1982-02-10 | 1983-08-31 | AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) | Procédé et appareil pour raccorder un conducteur électrique à un connecteur électrique |
GB2134422A (en) * | 1983-02-01 | 1984-08-15 | Amp Inc | Apparatus for terminating an electrical conductor to an electrical connector |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0738309B2 (ja) * | 1986-09-30 | 1995-04-26 | ヒロセ電機株式会社 | 電気コネクタ及びその結線方法 |
GB8726808D0 (en) * | 1987-11-16 | 1987-12-23 | Amp Italia | Electrical connector |
-
1988
- 1988-10-12 GB GB888823946A patent/GB8823946D0/en active Pending
-
1989
- 1989-09-26 US US07/412,690 patent/US4932895A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-10-04 EP EP89118427A patent/EP0363806B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-10-04 DE DE68920253T patent/DE68920253T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3434093A (en) * | 1966-09-27 | 1969-03-18 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Solderless connector for multipleconductor flat cable |
EP0087209A2 (fr) * | 1982-02-10 | 1983-08-31 | AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) | Procédé et appareil pour raccorder un conducteur électrique à un connecteur électrique |
GB2134422A (en) * | 1983-02-01 | 1984-08-15 | Amp Inc | Apparatus for terminating an electrical conductor to an electrical connector |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4225544C1 (de) * | 1992-08-01 | 1993-10-21 | Hirschmann Richard Gmbh Co | Kabelsteckverbinder für Flachbandkabel |
EP0653820B1 (fr) * | 1993-11-12 | 2000-01-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Câble adaptateur réversible pour deux media |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0363806B1 (fr) | 1994-12-28 |
GB8823946D0 (en) | 1988-11-16 |
DE68920253T2 (de) | 1995-05-18 |
DE68920253D1 (de) | 1995-02-09 |
US4932895A (en) | 1990-06-12 |
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